by Phil Goldberg
Top 10 Albums
The DodosVisiter
(Frenchkiss)
This duo's French Kiss release made less waves that it should have by virtue of its sheer mastery of the familiar. Freak Folk? Yes. Duo minimalism? Yes. Where the album shines so much brighter than others this year is the breadth of accessibility. Dodos are as Magnetic Fields as they are Animal Collective, as Paul McCartney as they are Mountain Goats. What the formula made was the most accessible and well crafted album this year.
Frightened RabbitMidnight Organ Fight
(Fat Cat)
Sun Kil MoonApril
(Caldo Verde)
EmeraldsSolar Bridge
(Hanson)
CalexicoCarried to Dust
(Quarterstick)
M83Saturdays=Youth
(Mute)
Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago
(Jagjaguwar)
The Sea and CakeCar Alarm
(Thrill Jockey)
Steven Malkmus & the JicksReal Emotional Trash
(Matador)
The NotwistDevil You and Me
(Domino)
Honorable Plays
VetiverThing of the Past
(Fat Cat)
Everything Andy Cabic's band of dudes touches turns to gold, including other people's oft forgotten tunes.
Neon NeonStainless Style
(Lex)
Gruff Rhys, we didn't really need an '80s throwback pseudo-soundtrack featuring tracks about Racquel Welch and Alderaan, but thank you.
Rhys Chatham & Guitar Trio All-StarsGuitar Trio Is My Life!
(Table of the Elements)
Cool, yes. Overkill, yes.
Next Year's Models
Mew
The Archie Bronson Outfit
Sonic Youth
My Morning Jacket, "Thank You Too"
Other Writers
Kevin J. Elliott • Dorian S. Ham • Tom Butler • Michael P. O'Shaughnessy • Josie Rubio • Ron Wadlinger • Jennifer Farmer • Stephen Slaybaugh